The Louis Vuitton Acts were a series of
International America's Cup Class
The International Americas Cup Class is a class of racing yacht that was developed for the America's Cup between 1992 and 2007. These yachts, while not identical, were all designed to the same formula to offer designers the freedom to experiment ...
regattas
Boat racing is a sport in which boats, or other types of watercraft, race on water. Boat racing powered by oars is recorded as having occurred in ancient Egypt, and it is likely that people have engaged in races involving boats and other wate ...
leading up to the
2007 Louis Vuitton Cup
The 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup held in Valencia, Spain, from April 16 to June 6 was the event used to select the challenger for the 2007 America's Cup. Eleven potential challengers competed in the competition which consisted of two round robins, ...
and
2007 America's Cup
The 2007 America's Cup was the thirty-second challenge for the America's Cup and was won by Alinghi in the 7th race. The Cup is the most famous and most prestigious regatta and ''Match Race'' in the sport of sailing.
As per the Deed of Gift o ...
. Thirteen regattas or acts were held in total. These regattas involved all eleven challengers plus the holder of the
America's Cup
The America's Cup, informally known as the Auld Mug, is a trophy awarded in the sport of sailing. It is the oldest international competition still operating in any sport. America's Cup match races are held between two sailing yachts: one f ...
,
Alinghi
Alinghi, or Alinghi Red Bull Racing because of the sports marketing branding by Red Bull, is the syndicate set up by Ernesto Bertarelli, racing under the colors of the Société Nautique de Genève, to challenge for the America's Cup, as well as ...
, and allowed the challengers to earn bonus points that went towards the
Louis Vuitton Cup
The Louis Vuitton Cup was the name of the Challenger Selection Series sailing competition from 1983, named after its sponsor, Louis Vuitton. The winner of the competition became the challenger to compete with the defender of the America's Cu ...
. The 2004-2007 period was the first time this format had been used in America's Cup racing.
2004 ACC Championship
The 2004 ACC Championship was won by
Team New Zealand
Team New Zealand or TNZ is a sailing team based in Auckland, New Zealand representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
Team New Zealand became a household name in their home country following their consecutive wins in the America's Cup in ...
.
* The two teams that DNC in Act 1 received 7 points.
Act 1
Act One was sailed in
Marseille
Marseille ( , , ; also spelled in English as Marseilles; oc, Marselha ) is the prefecture of the French department of Bouches-du-Rhône and capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Situated in the camargue region of southern Franc ...
,
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
. The Act was scheduled to consist of six fleet races and a round robin of match races, however two fleet races were canceled due to poor weather.
BMW Oracle Racing
Oracle Team USA is an American yacht racing syndicate initially formed to compete for the 2003 America's Cup. They competed again in the 2007 event before winning the 33rd America's Cup regatta in 2010 – representing the Golden Gate Yacht Club. ...
won Act 1.
*Act 1 saw the debut of FRA 57 and RSA 48, the rebadged NZL 57 and ITA 48 from the
2000 America's Cup
The 30th America's Cup was won by Team New Zealand, who swept the 2000 Louis Vuitton Cup winner Prada Challenge in all five races. It was the first America's Cup without an American challenger or defender.
Races
Crew
Team New Zealand
* Sail ...
.
Act 2
Act Two was sailed in
Valencia
Valencia ( va, València) is the capital of the Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Valencian Community, Valencia and the Municipalities of Spain, third-most populated municipality in Spain, with 791,413 inhabitants. It is ...
,
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
. This was the first regatta in the port that was to host the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup and America's Cup. Three rounds of racing were lost to poor weather. The Act consisted of a double round robin of match races.
Emirates Team New Zealand
Team New Zealand or TNZ is a sailing team based in Auckland, New Zealand representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
Team New Zealand became a household name in their home country following their consecutive wins in the America's Cup i ...
won Act 2.
*Act 2 saw the debut of FRA 60 and ITA 59, a rebadged NZL 60 and SUI 59 from the
2000 America's Cup
The 30th America's Cup was won by Team New Zealand, who swept the 2000 Louis Vuitton Cup winner Prada Challenge in all five races. It was the first America's Cup without an American challenger or defender.
Races
Crew
Team New Zealand
* Sail ...
and
2000 Louis Vuitton Cup
The 5th Louis Vuitton Cup was held in Auckland
Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The List of New Zealand urban areas by population, most populous urban area in t ...
respectively.
*Team New Zealand used NZL 81 after
NZL 82
''NZL 82'' was a 2003-generation International America's Cup Class racing yacht. Raced by defenders Team New Zealand in the 2003 America's Cup match, she was defeated 5–0 by challenger Alinghi ( ''SUI 64'').
Design
After the successful 20 ...
was damaged in a storm after the Marseille leg, BMW Oracle Racing used USA 71 for the same reason.
Act 3
Act Three was sailed in Valencia, Spain. The Act was scheduled to consist of seven fleet races, however one fleet race was canceled due to poor weather.
Alinghi
Alinghi, or Alinghi Red Bull Racing because of the sports marketing branding by Red Bull, is the syndicate set up by Ernesto Bertarelli, racing under the colors of the Société Nautique de Genève, to challenge for the America's Cup, as well as ...
won Act 3.
2005 ACC Championship
The 2005 ACC Championship was won by
Alinghi
Alinghi, or Alinghi Red Bull Racing because of the sports marketing branding by Red Bull, is the syndicate set up by Ernesto Bertarelli, racing under the colors of the Société Nautique de Genève, to challenge for the America's Cup, as well as ...
.
Act 4
Act Four was sailed in Valencia, Spain. The Act consisted of a singleround robin of match races.
Alinghi
Alinghi, or Alinghi Red Bull Racing because of the sports marketing branding by Red Bull, is the syndicate set up by Ernesto Bertarelli, racing under the colors of the Société Nautique de Genève, to challenge for the America's Cup, as well as ...
won Act 4.
*Act 4 saw the debut of RSA 83, the first
IACC boat constructed in
Africa
Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...
, and SUI 75.
*Desafío Español 2007 sailed ESP 67, a rebadged USA 67 from
OneWorld
Oneworld (stylised as oneworld; Computer reservations system, CRS: *O) is an airline alliance founded on 1 February 1999. The alliance's stated objective is to be the first choice airline alliance for the world's frequent international traveller ...
's
2003 Louis Vuitton Cup
The 6th Louis Vuitton Cup was held in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2003. The winner, Alinghi, went on to challenge for and win the 2003 America's Cup.
The teams
The Yacht Club Punta Ala was the challenger of record.
Alinghi
Founded by Swiss bus ...
campaign while Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team sailed ITA 77, a rebadged USA 77 from
Team Dennis Conner
''Stars & Stripes'' (''Team Dennis Conner'') is the name of an America's Cup syndicate operated by Dennis Conner and its racing yachts. The name "Stars & Stripes" refers to the nickname often used for the flag of the United States. TDC was regis ...
's 2003 campaign.
*Team Germany sailed GER 72, which was a rebadged ITA 72 from Mascalzone Latino, while China Team sailed CHN 69 as they had merged with
Le Defi and acquired FRA 69.
Act 5
Act Five was sailed in Valencia, Spain. The Act consisted of five fleet races.
Luna Rossa
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, originally named Prada Challenge, then Luna Rossa Challenge, is an Italian sailboat racing syndicate first created to compete for the 2000 America's Cup. It won the Louis Vuitton Cup on their first attempt in 2000, but ...
won Act 5.
Act 6
Act Six was held in
Malmö
Malmö (, ; da, Malmø ) is the largest city in the Swedish county (län) of Scania (Skåne). It is the third-largest city in Sweden, after Stockholm and Gothenburg, and the sixth-largest city in the Nordic region, with a municipal populat ...
,
Skåne
Scania, also known by its native name of Skåne (, ), is the southernmost of the historical provinces (''landskap'') of Sweden. Located in the south tip of the geographical region of Götaland, the province is roughly conterminous with Skåne C ...
,
Sweden
Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic country located on ...
. The Act consisted of a single round robin of match races.
Alinghi
Alinghi, or Alinghi Red Bull Racing because of the sports marketing branding by Red Bull, is the syndicate set up by Ernesto Bertarelli, racing under the colors of the Société Nautique de Genève, to challenge for the America's Cup, as well as ...
won Act 6.
*Victory Challenge switched from SWE 63 to SWE 73, deciding it was better suited to the Swedish conditions
Act 7
Act Seven was held in Malmö, Skåne, Sweden. The Act was to consist of five fleet races, however poor weather meant that the Act was reduced to three races.
Alinghi
Alinghi, or Alinghi Red Bull Racing because of the sports marketing branding by Red Bull, is the syndicate set up by Ernesto Bertarelli, racing under the colors of the Société Nautique de Genève, to challenge for the America's Cup, as well as ...
won Act 7.
Act 8
Act Eight was held in
Trapani
Trapani ( , ; scn, Tràpani ; lat, Drepanum; grc, Δρέπανον) is a city and municipality (''comune'') on the west coast of Sicily, in Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Trapani. Founded by Elymians, the city is still an impor ...
,
Italy
Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...
. The Act consisted of a single round robin of match races.
Alinghi
Alinghi, or Alinghi Red Bull Racing because of the sports marketing branding by Red Bull, is the syndicate set up by Ernesto Bertarelli, racing under the colors of the Société Nautique de Genève, to challenge for the America's Cup, as well as ...
won Act 8.
Act 9
Act Nine was held in Trapani, Italy. The Act consisted of five fleet races.
Alinghi
Alinghi, or Alinghi Red Bull Racing because of the sports marketing branding by Red Bull, is the syndicate set up by Ernesto Bertarelli, racing under the colors of the Société Nautique de Genève, to challenge for the America's Cup, as well as ...
won Act 9.
2006 ACC Championship
The 2006 ACC Championship was won by
Team New Zealand
Team New Zealand or TNZ is a sailing team based in Auckland, New Zealand representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
Team New Zealand became a household name in their home country following their consecutive wins in the America's Cup in ...
.
Act 10
Act Ten was sailed in Valencia, Spain. The Act consisted of a singleround robin of match races.
BMW Oracle Racing
Oracle Team USA is an American yacht racing syndicate initially formed to compete for the 2003 America's Cup. They competed again in the 2007 event before winning the 33rd America's Cup regatta in 2010 – representing the Golden Gate Yacht Club. ...
won Act 10.
*Act 10 saw the debut of
USA 87, ITA 86 and NZL 84.
*Act 10 saw the introduction of CHN 79, a rebadged FRA 79 from
Le Defi's
2003 Louis Vuitton Cup
The 6th Louis Vuitton Cup was held in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2003. The winner, Alinghi, went on to challenge for and win the 2003 America's Cup.
The teams
The Yacht Club Punta Ala was the challenger of record.
Alinghi
Founded by Swiss bus ...
campaign, and ESP 65, formerly USA 65 from
OneWorld
Oneworld (stylised as oneworld; Computer reservations system, CRS: *O) is an airline alliance founded on 1 February 1999. The alliance's stated objective is to be the first choice airline alliance for the world's frequent international traveller ...
's 2003 campaign.
Act 11
Act Eleven was held in Valencia, Spain. The Act consisted of five fleet races.
Alinghi
Alinghi, or Alinghi Red Bull Racing because of the sports marketing branding by Red Bull, is the syndicate set up by Ernesto Bertarelli, racing under the colors of the Société Nautique de Genève, to challenge for the America's Cup, as well as ...
won Act 11.
Act 12
Act Twelve was sailed in Valencia, Spain. The Act consisted of a singleround robin of match races plus three divisions of knock out finals.
Emirates Team New Zealand
Team New Zealand or TNZ is a sailing team based in Auckland, New Zealand representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
Team New Zealand became a household name in their home country following their consecutive wins in the America's Cup i ...
won Act 12.
*Act 12 saw the introduction of ESP 88.
Division 1
Division 2
Division 3
2007 season
No ACC Championship was awarded in 2007, instead the focus was on the
2007 Louis Vuitton Cup
The 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup held in Valencia, Spain, from April 16 to June 6 was the event used to select the challenger for the 2007 America's Cup. Eleven potential challengers competed in the competition which consisted of two round robins, ...
and the
2007 America's Cup
The 2007 America's Cup was the thirty-second challenge for the America's Cup and was won by Alinghi in the 7th race. The Cup is the most famous and most prestigious regatta and ''Match Race'' in the sport of sailing.
As per the Deed of Gift o ...
.
Act 13
Act Thirteen was held in Valencia, Spain. The Act consisted of seven fleet races.
Alinghi
Alinghi, or Alinghi Red Bull Racing because of the sports marketing branding by Red Bull, is the syndicate set up by Ernesto Bertarelli, racing under the colors of the Société Nautique de Genève, to challenge for the America's Cup, as well as ...
won Act 13.
*Act 13 was originally to be titled Act 14 due to the desire to avoid having a "thirteenth race" however the Act was later retitled Act 13 for simplicities sake.
Louis Vuitton Act 13
Yachting World, 31 January 2006
*Act 13 saw the introduction of SUI 91, ITA 94, FRA 93, ITA 85, ESP 97, ITA 99, GER 89, CHN 95 and SWE 96.
*+39 Challenge awarded redress after collision.[+39 Challenge wins protest, is awarded redress]
sail-world.com, 06.04.2007
Bonus Points
Each challenger was awarded between 1-4 bonus points to take into the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup
The 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup held in Valencia, Spain, from April 16 to June 6 was the event used to select the challenger for the 2007 America's Cup. Eleven potential challengers competed in the competition which consisted of two round robins, ...
based on their performances in the last Ten Acts. Between 11-1 points were awarded to each team per Act based on the final position the syndicate when Alinghi was excluded. For 2006 Acts the points were doubled and the points were tripled for 2007 Acts. The 2004 Acts were not worth any points. Emirates Team New Zealand
Team New Zealand or TNZ is a sailing team based in Auckland, New Zealand representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
Team New Zealand became a household name in their home country following their consecutive wins in the America's Cup i ...
topped the table and took the maximum four bonus points into the Louis Vuitton Cup
The Louis Vuitton Cup was the name of the Challenger Selection Series sailing competition from 1983, named after its sponsor, Louis Vuitton. The winner of the competition became the challenger to compete with the defender of the America's Cu ...
.
*+39 Challenge awarded redress after collision in Act 13.
References
External links
Official Website of the 32nd America's Cup
{{America'sCup
Louis Vuitton regattas
L
L
L
L
Sports competitions in Valencia
Sport in Marseille
Sport in Malmö
Sport in Sicily
2004 in French sport
2004 in Spanish sport
2005 in Spanish sport
2005 in Italian sport
2005 in Swedish sport
2006 in Spanish sport
2007 in Spanish sport
2007 America's Cup
Sailing series